TROWBRIDGE sprinter Danny Talbot booked his place at the World Championships in London next month with a runners-up finish in the 200m at the British team trials yesterday.

The 26-year-old was pipped to the national title by Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake but still had the consolation of a new personal best of 20.20 seconds at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham and a spot in Team GB for the Worlds.

The race was the most hotly anticipated of the weekend, with Mitchell-Blake, Talbot, Zharnel Hughes and Adam Gemili all having clocked the qualifying time this year but only the top two finishers in the trials guaranteed a place in the team.

Former St Augustine’s Catholic College pupil Talbot thrived under the pressure to bag the top-two spot he needed behind Mitchell-Blake, who triumphed in a new championship record time of 20.18.

There was a shock behind, however, as Leon Reid edged out former World Championship finalist Hughes for third, while Gemili, who was fourth at the Rio Olympics last summer, finished way down the field in sixth after appearing to suffer a problem during the race.

Speaking to the BBC after the race, Talbot said: “You have seen it’s about more than just four people. Leon Reid is at my club, Birchfield, and ran a personal best to come third.

“It’s a very competitive event and I am just glad I have secured my place in the team.”

The World Athletics Championships take place at the Olympic Stadium in London from August 4-13.

Another Trowbridge athlete, Tom Gale, finished ninth in the high jump after a 2.08m clearance, with London 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Robbie Grabarz triumphing on 2.26m.

The 18-year-old sailed over his opening marker at the first attempt but failed all three jumps at the next height of 2.12m, well below his personal best of 2.22m.